WHAT? Seafood for the softhearted. As only the sweet, white claw meat of this warm water crustacean is eaten, fishermen twist the claws off and throw the crab back in the sea. The claws regenerate after about 18 months, although the new claw--known as a retread--is smaller than the original. Fisherman typically leave each crab with one claw so it can defend itself. James Peterson wrote in Fish & Shellfish that he was "shocked" the first time he saw the claws for sale because he assumed, mistakenly, that the crustacean had been killed for a relatively small amount of meat. The crabs, considered a delicacy today, were popularized 80 years ago at Joe's Stone Crab Restaurant in Miami Beach, now a historical landmark. You eat them, usually cold, by cracking the shell with a mallet and dipping the succulent meat in sauce.
WHERE?

A bowl of matzoh ball soup from last month's deli-style James Beard dinner, which featured a team of talented chefs who transformed delicatessen staples into creative, contemporary cuisine.
Click here to see more photos from the night.

Spring seems to have sprung for good, which means that seasonal staples like ramps, asparagus, and peas are all the rage. We're getting the freshness started with this homey recipe from Thomas Keller: gnocchi studded with sweet English peas and earthy morels.

Here’s what’s happening at the Beard House and around the country next week:

Monday, April 5, 7:00 P.M.Best of Burke
Cook, entrepreneur, inventor: David Burke embraces each of these roles with an unmatched energy and passion. We’re thrilled to welcome the award-winning chef and the protégés who oversee his myriad restaurants for what’s sure to be an evening of showstopping, forward-thinking cuisine.

Tuesday, April 6, 7:00 P.M.Farm to Table
Sure, plenty of restaurants use sustainable ingredients, but only a select few, including Harvest in Madison, Wisconsin, made it onto Gourmet’s list of th... Read more >

These unfussy crostini are a delicious addition to a cocktail party or picnic. While you can switch out the country ham for prosciutto, we think that the dry-cured and smoked product makes for the best contrast against the sweet goat cheese and apples.

David Katz, chef and owner of the popular Mémé Restaurant in Philadelphia, treated Beard House diners to his beautifully crafted New American cuisine last week. We loved his playful, multitextured dessert: coffee gelée with almond cream, chocolate puffed rice, and orange powder.
See more photos of his marvelous menu here.